General Information

Question

For the first time I am growing some herbs in pots on my back porch. I was
just wondering, if I wanted to use some rosemary for cooking with, where do I
cut from so that it will grow back. This is all very new to me.

The Green Chronicle replies...

Just take the soft stems, new growth that is, for cooking. Rosemary should be
harvested on hot sunny days. You can freeze or dry the herb for out of season
use. Enjoy your home grown herbs.

Question

Hello,
Last year I had a beautiful, bushy rosemary plant in a pot. I didn't take good
care of it over the cold winter, and it appears dead --- however when I went to
remove it from the pot I could still smell the rosemary scent.... could this
mean I didn't kill it and there is a possibility it will grow back? It's already
May and it still looks like twigs, but I'd love to save it if possible! What
should I do?
THANKS!

The Green Chronicle replies...

It sounds to me like your rosemary plant is dead. The smell is of the remaining
oils of the plant in its dried remains. Cold winters will kill rosemary much of
the time, my advice would be to raise or buy a new rosemary plant and this time
both protect it from the worst of the cold, and take and pot soft stem cuttings
in the summer to give yourself young plants in the case of accident.

Question

I have a rosemary plant/bush that is getting
bigger than I want it. Is this a good time to prune it back? Can you tell
me how to do it?

The Green Chronicle replies...

This is not a bad time to cut your rosemary back as it will have the rest of the
growing season to recover before the colder weather. Cold is the most serious
threat to this herb. It is harvested by cutting the soft stems during the
growing season, and that offers you the best, and most useful, way to keep it
under control in the future. You can dry the harvest, or even freeze it; if you
don't use it enough in your own kitchen then give it away to someone who does.
With regard to pruning, try to leave some younger growth on the plant, but
otherwise feel free to take it back to the size and shape you want. As an
insurance against losing this plant, you might like to take some soft stem
cuttings and pot them up, leave them somewhere warm to root, and grow yourself a
replacement plant or two just in case.

Question

I have a very prolific rosemary "bush" which is about 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide.
It has taken over my herb garden. What should I do in regard to pruning?

The Green Chronicle replies...

I think that the best thing to do is to take some cuttings in the summer from
soft stems, pot them up and try to make sure that you have a replacement for
your rosemary plant. Then cut the parent back to the size you would like. If the
plant has good strong growth throughout it should cope quite well with pruning,
after all when we harvest rosemary we are constantly pruning it across its
growing surface. Rosemary is not all that fond of the cold, and I would advice
cutting it back in the springtime, rather as one would with sage, in order to
give it time to put on some growth before any harsh weather might threaten it.
As far as pruning technique is concerned I don't imagine that there are any hard
and fast rules for rosemary, make the plant the size and shape you want, and
always try to produce some replacements from cuttings in case of disaster.

Question

How do we go about transplanting a 2 feet
tall rosemary bush without killing it? Also, how do I dry some of the leaves for
cooking?

The Green Chronicle replies...

I would suggest not moving the plant in the heat of summer. Wait until cooler
autumn weather comes along and then try to take the plant with as large a root
ball as possible from its present location to where you want to
plant it. Leave top growth on the plant to protect it from the winter cold. Also
you would be wise to take some soft stem cuttings and propagate replacement
plants in pots, just in case the old plant doesn't survive the
move. This is easy to do, and in potting compost you should find the cuttings
will root quite readily if you keep them moist and warm. When you do move the
plant dig a hole large enough to comfortably take the roots you have managed to
leave on; water in well and keep watering until no more air bubbles come to the
surface. This indicates that you have got good soil contact around the bare
roots. Don't worry too much if the plant
doesn't survive, in a good spot a new plant from a cutting will easily match the
size of the old one in its second year. Rosemary likes full sun and free
draining ground. Drying leaves in small amounts is very easy indeed. Harvest the
pale soft stems from top growth, ideally on a hot day in full sun. Scissors are
good for this job. Put the stems in a brown paper bag and put it somewhere warm
and dry. The leaves will dry and crumble; use an old herb jar to keep them for
the winter. In the growing season use the rosemary fresh from the plant.
Enjoy your herbs, good luck.

Question

Could you please tell me what I could use to
eradicate a white fungus that has appeared on my rosemary and another herb and
also on my comfrey.

The Green Chronicle replies...

Hi,
I think you have powdery mildew on your plants. This is often the result of high
humidity. You might try bathing the plants in a bi-carbonate of soda solution to
remove the mildew, but that will not address the cause of the outbreak. You
might try increasing the free flow of air around these plants - make some space
around them; also, if you water them, do so at the base, do not spray or mist
the plants.

If you have any questions on Rosemary, e-mail us and we may be able to help!

If you have a question or comment relevant to this page, then please post it below.

Comment Script

hello i have a rosemary plant and the leaves are turning back, they start to turn at the tip of the leaf or in the middle but at the end they are all black and fall off. i try to water it often i just moved it to more sun. could it be lack of food, i use tap water could it be the chlorine in the tap water? it is a large plant and healthy looking but some not all the leaves are changing. please help me save this plant. i can send you pictures if that would help

#61 - derek - 11/11/2012 - 11:43

My rosemary bush is 3 years old, 4ft tall, and planted outside in an old tire for a pot. I love it, it has survived 2 ice storms and 2 110 degree summers. It seems extremely hardy! We bought a new house and I am concerned about transplanting it. I hate to leave it, but would rather leave it than to kill it. There is alot of great information here, just didn't see anything about how deep you should dig.

#60 - Linda - 07/19/2012 - 17:26

yellow spikes on rosemary plants (month of May) What can I do?

#59 - margaret brittain - 05/17/2012 - 10:10

Hi,

I have bought a small rosemary plant that seemed to be doing well for a while (few weeks). However, silvery spots started showing on the leaves recently. Also, a few of the leaves are slowly turning brown starting from the tip. I thought I may have overwatered it so I cut back on the watering and I also set a fan to blow on it lightly. Could the silvery spots be mold or mildew? How should I treat the plant to get rid of this? (I started removing the spotted leaves and discarding them.) Also, I assume I shouldn't use the affected leaves in foods, rigth? Could you help me please?

#58 - Kati - 05/06/2012 - 15:11

I have a creeping rosemary that has suddenly started turning black. The leaves turn black from the base then to the tip and fall off. Eventually the entire limb turns blackish and dies. I see no pests. What could this be?

#57 - Pam - 02/23/2012 - 12:25

i ama terrible gardener. i have succcessfully killed at least 10 rosemary plants and about 19 cuttings. can someone tell me how to plant a cutting WITHOUT killing any of my plants???

#56 - Savanah - 02/22/2012 - 01:01

Can ANYONE tell me; I am trying to grow rosemary by cutting, but I am afraid that I will kill it (yes, behind all the mystery of my name, I am a TERRIBBLE gardener.) Will someone give me some tips on how to keep either plant from dying???
(P.S. Not sure that this will make any differece, but I live in China, cuz I'm Chinese. Does that have ANYTHING to do with my plant's condition???)

#55 - Anonymous Girl - 02/22/2012 - 00:56

To the question,"I have a very prolific rosemary "bush" which is about 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide. It has taken over my herb garden. What should I do in regard to pruning?"

Why not just trim the bushes or use Indoor Plant Care Have a Great One!

#54 - Kevin Davidson - 09/27/2011 - 15:29

I have a rosemary plant which I think is dying. I live in Melbourne, Australia, where it is now winter and can get quite cold but wet.

Most of the stems are old & grey but there are some green leaves on few of the stems. Can I save the plant PLEASE? I use the leaves in cooking & love its smell around the garden.

Also does it need any fertilizer? How much watering do I need to do on it?

THANKS for helping out.

#53 - Max - 08/15/2011 - 16:44

I live in the south of Italy and the rosemary bush on my balcony is infested with a soft white grub/pest of some sort. It is not frothy or like spittle but an actual creature. If you pick it off and squash it then a browny/red goo comes out. These creatures start off quite small but grow to about 1cm in length. Where they cling to the woody stem they are light brown in colour (almost like the stem of the plant) but this brown colouring is definitely part of the grub itself. I am hoping you will be able to tell me what this pest is and also how I can get rid of it. Today I noticed one or two of the creatures had moved on to one of my geranium plants. Help!

#52 - Kay Bowen - 07/03/2011 - 04:31

I have a rosemary bush which acts as a hedge, I no longer want it there and i was wondering if anyone could tell me which kind of poison i could use to kill it, as i am not able to dig it up.
Thankyou

#51 - Destiny - 06/29/2011 - 00:38

We live in the Colorado high country at 9400 feet. the winters are obviously cold and the summers short. I was wondering if a rosemary plant would survive the cold winters and short days that we have. The nights can get as much as 22 below zero, but mostly are in the teens below zero at the coldest time. Our yard gets a lot of intense sunshine in both winter and summer.

#50 - Linda - 06/28/2011 - 20:20

MY ROSEMARY HAS WHITE GLOBS OF MUCUS AT THE TIPS MOSTLY. COULD THIS BE CAUSED BY AN INSECT LIKE A GREEN GRASSHOPPER.

#49 - MARY - 06/24/2011 - 20:13

I have Rosemary bushes growing on both sides of my front flower beds. The middle of one of them was froze out this winter. We had to remove it. Now we have a 3 foot gap in the middle. How do I plant a new one large enough to fill in the area so you can't tell? It really looks funny. Thanks.

#48 - Kristi - 05/20/2011 - 19:04

I have two rosemary bushes - far apart in the garden. They have both developed yellow stippling and in one of them, the spines are half brown/black and falling off. I have looked for 'leaf hoppers' but cant see any and I have also looked for mites - none either. What's the answer?!

#47 - catherine - 03/27/2011 - 10:19

i have a rosemary bush that completely took over part of my flower beds and was about the diameter of a truck tire. i had to cut it back quite a bit last summer and it looked like it would die. it still has some green and a bit of new growth, but where i pruned it, it looks dead. did i over-prune? what can i do to help it? does it just need to come back since the winter months are over? we had a couple of hard freezes, but for the most part a typical mild Texas winter.

#46 - bremda - 03/24/2011 - 13:09

My wife and I came across what seems to be a large patch of wild growing rosemary growing under tree cover and in a field in Gulf shores Al. Some have purple flowers much new growth and when crushed smells like Rosemary. My question: are all rosemary plants edible? We will transplant some of these plants if they are.

#45 - Don Hoffman - 02/16/2011 - 12:12

Hi, my rosemary plant has developed crumbly, woody growths along the base of many (not all) twigs. They are dry and clumpy, and crumble off when rubbed between fingers. I am wondering what it is, and how to treat it?
Thanks!

#44 - Gillian - 09/11/2010 - 21:31

Hi, my rosemary plant is not growing,i do not know how to cut it hoping you could tell me. I THANK YOU

#43 - alonzo t baker - 07/25/2010 - 05:33

I am newly responsible for cutting back an overgrown herb garden. I don't know what all the herbs are, but I know one which seems to be everywhere is Rosemary. Some of the stems are bare and quite evidently dead, others are not. I went to take off some of the dead branches and realized that I had several tiny, maybe a millimeter long, white or clear worm-like creatures on my hand. What is this and what should I do? I was hoping to make cuttings from this garden and sell them, but I don't want to even get near it with these tiny creatures.

#42 - Cynthia - 07/20/2010 - 19:09

I have white saliva like blobs on the tips of many branches of my large rosemary bush. Is this some moth or something? Will it harm my plant? Will it go away? How do I get rid of it?

#41 - Carol Wyatt - 07/05/2010 - 12:10

I have bought 3 large Rosemary plants in pots over the past 4 years.

After about a year or so the plants have gone ‘woody’ with very little new fresh shoots. Is there anything that I can do to revive them? Should I plant them now rather than keeping them in their original pot? The pots are located close to the house in a very sheltered position.

#40 - Lucy - 06/29/2010 - 14:18

Hi, when i got my potted rosemary, it was thriving, growing and green. i did the usual and did not water until the soil looks dry but now the plant looks like its drying out, meaning the leaves and the lower part of the plant turned brown and it seems to be spreading up the plant (the top part of the plant still looks green though). Did i underwater it? it is placed in a sunny area. help please

#39 - Carrie - 06/14/2010 - 03:52

Hello
I have a little tiny rosemary plant that does not seem to be growing any bigger. I live in Mexico and keep it in the shade most of the time.
Can you help me figure out why it is not growing.
Dill as well actually
Thanks

#38 - christina MacHardy - 05/31/2010 - 15:39

We have a lovely Rosemarie bush but its getting to take over the small garden.
thanks ever so much for the advice given above. We will take cuttings as would hate to loose it , and will give a fairly strong pruning after it has finished flowering

#37 - Val Crewe - 05/20/2010 - 10:08

I have two prostrate rosemary plants that I placed in two separate mixed pots. I have them in well drained, sandy/loamy soil, with about 7 hours of full sun, and I live in mid-south Texas, so the arid climate is normal. but they are both still dying. the leaves have turned brown and are hard, like they are dried out. is this from transplanting from a pot to a larger, mixed container? I water once a day, in the morning, if needed. please help!

#36 - Erica - 05/10/2010 - 13:29

I have white saliva like blobs on the tips of many branches of my large rosemary bush. Is this some moth or something? Will it harm my plant? Will it go away? How do I get rid of it?

#35 - Tricia Irish - 12/31/2009 - 07:31

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have a pot rosemary formed a beautiful circle. I have 3 questions:
1. I am wondering if this plant will grow well long term in this shape.
2. If I am going to cut it into severall pieces and grow them indoor pots and outdoor flower bed. My question is how big the rosemary can grow? Dose rosemary grow horizontally to take over the whole flower bed or vertically?
3. Is the fall the good time to cut the rosemary and replant the cuts?

Thank you very much for your help!

#34 - Grace - 11/10/2009 - 11:32

Correction: The rosemary question was #14 from Beverly Wilson dated 8/28/07. The moth is the problem not spider mites.

#33 - Margaret Shelton - 11/03/2009 - 09:24

In reference to the question about a moth on a 10 year old rosemary (#15 from Mary, 9/15/07). I hope you have more information about this destructive pest. The moth does its thing and lays an egg on the rosemary. Out hatches a worm ~1/2 inch long and the size of a pencil lead in diameter. It proceeds to weave webs around the stem, chew on the leaves and wrap itself into a mat of leaves and turn into a brown pupae about 1/4" long. The life cycle is repeated many times over the growing season and can damage and kill rosemary if allowed to go unchecked. Treating correctly will stop the infestation. B.t. (Bacillis thurengiensis) or Dipel will kill the worm. Pyrethrum will kill the moth. "Zapper" lights (those lights with electrified wire mesh) will lure and kill the moth at night. Teasing out the worm or pupae and mashing it is a good organic treatment. B.t. applied to the leaves is a preventative and should be repeated through the season as needed. I was looking for more information on this pest when I came across your comments.

#32 - Margaret Shelton - 11/03/2009 - 09:18

i am wondering if i can bring my wonderful rosemary plant into the house for the winter...and then take it back outside in the spring...i live in the top northern state of Ohio on Lake Erie?

#31 - j.graham - 11/02/2009 - 14:10

I love rosemary!! But...I cut it for cooking, but the rosemary does not grow back.
Please tell me whats wrong with me or it.

#30 - Denise - 08/31/2009 - 19:07

Hi
I have a rosemary plant in a pot about 12" tall i would like to plant it in the ground in my garden out of the plant pot.
When is the best time to do this, and what is the best method.
Thanks.

#29 - Len - 08/30/2008 - 05:13

I would just replant your rosemary and hope for the best. i had a rosemary which split in a high wind and i just left it and the wood healed over and it was fine.

#28 - jon - 07/16/2008 - 17:15

I wouldn't plant a new rosemary in the same place as one which had just died.
As a general rule rosemary likes a nice sunny place and does not like humidity or being crowded by other plants.

#27 - mary - 07/16/2008 - 17:14

PLease PLease please help me. i have a resemary bush in a small plant a bought a few months ago and its in a pot growing really nicely. Yesterday i fell on the plant and broke off a main stem and part of the root. there is root exposed and in the soil. is this really terrible? is there anything i can do to help save it or seal the wound? i am so upset becuase my other plants have blite and i dont want the rosemary to get it. PLease advise. Thank you so much for your time.

#26 - Elenya - 07/16/2008 - 10:13

I have a four year old rosemary bush which until a few weeks ago was healthy, but has since rapidly died - I'm thinking die-back virus.

I've bought a new plant and am wondering if I should avoid planting it in the same spot?

#25 - Julie - 07/08/2008 - 03:45

Creeping Rosemary: If I want it to trail over a large planter or over a balcony, how do I plant it so it doesn't grow several feet in diameter? I'd like to plant something taller with it in the same container. Will this work?

What is the organic formula for dealing with red spider mites? There is a web on my roseomary bush resulting in brown branches.

#22 - Phyllis - 06/11/2008 - 10:56

i recently purchased a small- 8" rosemary bush in a peat pot for my new herb garden. i tore the bottom out of the peat pot and planted it into a larger ceramic pot to allow for growth, probably three days ago. after reading about the herb, i've decided the soil i used may not allow enough drainage for it's roots. would putting it into a terra cotta pot and mixing some small stones in the mix be a bad idea? i don't think the roots could have outgrown the peat pot much so far...

#21 - derek - 05/07/2008 - 17:52

is is normal for a rosemary bush to flower and should I take tthe flowers off

#20 - lynn - 03/16/2008 - 11:52

I have a small rosemary plant (one stem only) will it spread and how long will it take?

#19 - David Robertson - 11/15/2007 - 11:42

Rosemary, Dill and Wormwood oils are considered to be too stimulating for people with epilepsy. It is always best to check even with natural substances.

#18 - Mary - 10/22/2007 - 03:34

Question
Am I right in thinking that Rosemary can affect epileptics if they smell it?

#17 - Joy - 10/20/2007 - 04:23

I don't know why a rosemary would not have any perfume unless it is unhappy in its situation (not enough sun or poor soil). Or are there some varieties that just do not smell??

#16 - mary - 09/04/2007 - 13:50

Don't think the moths themselves would be doing any harm. The webs may belong to the chrysallis of the moth and the caterpillars may have done some damage. If this theory is correct the moths would be newly hatched.The webs could (more likely) belong to red spider mites. There is a biological control for this which might be worth trying. Try to get a definite identification of webs and moths.Meanwhile follow advice for virus conditions in the other answers on this page. Also try hosing the webs off.

#15 - mary - 09/04/2007 - 13:48

I have a ten-year old rosemary plant. About a month ago, I began to notice small, tan moths, about the size of my little fingernail, hovering among the branches and leaves. Suddenly, there are sticky webs on the branches, and the branches are turning a blackish, brownish, gooey color. The branches are dying. Any suggestions.

#14 - Beverly Wilson - 08/28/2007 - 09:16

Rosemary bushes do deteriorate with age and eventually, sometimes, the only thing to do is to replace them. It is quite usual for the inner wood to look brown and a bit lifeless.You could try the usual things (in case there is a virus). This would include cutting away the outer brown/yellowing foliage, making sure the plant has enough space around it and plenty of air and sunlight 9maybe other plants have grown up in the 16 years and are competing with the rosemary). Water regularly at the roots only and try a mulch.

#13 - Mary - 08/03/2007 - 11:00

I have a rosemary giant bush started from a cutting 16 yrs ago. Occasionlly some parts would turn brown- but then recover.
The bush is about 6ft high by 6ft wide. I love it- use it all the time in cooking- don't want to lose it. Yellowish-brown and quite extensive-but mostly on the inside of the plant- anything I can do?? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

#12 - Tom Grifka - 07/31/2007 - 16:27

Why does my rosemary not smell? It looks healthy otherwise.

#11 - Toni - 07/11/2007 - 04:54

The only things you can do are to cut away the dead bits and burn them. Cut away anything that is too close to the rosemary. Water the rosemary at the roots regularly and give it a mulch.
If it has got die back virus you might be lucky but I managed to save an old rosemary for about a year then it packed up altogether.

#10 - hipjoe - 06/20/2007 - 17:05

My rosemary bush is large and quite old - it's started to die off with only some green leaves left on one side and the rest g turn brown and dried out. What should I do?

#9 - Jeff - 06/17/2007 - 12:31

Hi,
If you have been growing rosemary in the same way for quite a time I guess that you have got the soil etc ok. Rosemary is susceptible to a die-back virus which ends up with brown leaves and dead rosemary.
It could be that the whitefly are helping in the spread of the virus.
The usual procedure for this type of problem in rosemary is to cut out and burn the affected branches. Make sure that the rosemary is not too crowded or being subjected to humidity. Rosemary likes plenty of sun and air and space. Water only at the roots on a regular basis and possibly use a mulch.If by any chance it is not a virus none of these measures will harm the plants.
Are you organic or working in a greenhouse or polytunnel?
If you are propagating cuttings from an already infected stock this could pose further problems for you.

#8 - Mary - 06/17/2007 - 06:29

Hi,

I am propagating potted rosemary by the hundreds on a monthly basis. I am having problem with interveinal chlorosis of the young leaves and it is happening in random in my production area. In severe cases, the chlorotic leaves become necrotic and the leaves turn from yellow to brown but only in the young leaves but is progressing downward. I suspect it was iron deficiency so I give it a regular spray of chelated Iron. I also checked the pH of the media an it was low (4.8 - 5.5). I raised the pH up to 6.4 to 6.8 gradually by topdressing lime. It responded a bit but still the problem is still there and is progressing to the new cuttings.

We have some white flies infestation which I am having a hard time eradicating completely. I am now suspecting it could be a virus. Do you have any information about any virus disease that attacks rosemary? I have never encountered one before. Or if it is just Iron deficiency, do you have any suggestions on how I can correct the problem? I have already modified my next batch of media and I was hoping it will not have that kind of symptoms.

Thanks

#7 - Mike Caballes - 06/16/2007 - 23:14

Rosemary can take over and get really huge. I'd cut it back now (should be done after flowering)then you'll be able to plant up some different things as well.

#6 - John - 06/05/2007 - 12:20

Cutting the rosemary shouldn't be a problem as long as you don't take out more than one fifth of the total plant. If you take out some of the large branches you may be able to "remodel" the rosemary into a smaller bush with new growth (which you can then keep under control) rather than cut back the newer growth and be left with the thicker, older gnarled bits. We cut our rosemary bush into a small hedge with no bad effect.

#5 - Alan - 06/05/2007 - 12:10

I have a rather large Rosemary bush that was originally about 10' wide 4' tall and 4' deep. I cut back a lot of the growth from one side that was overhanging the raised bed it is in. I am now looking to cut back the whole thing to a small plant size (approx 7'wide x 2' deep x 2' tall). Would this be possible or is the plant too advanced? All suggestions welcome please as my small front garden is slowly being overtaken!

#4 - Chris - 06/04/2007 - 05:24

I think the best thing to do is to get an identification of the beetles before you make any hasty decisions with regard to the rosemary.

#3 - Steve - 05/24/2007 - 13:53

My Rosemary plant has been plagued with gold coloured shiney coated beetles, should I destroy it?

#2 - Roy - 05/07/2007 - 15:37

It is possible that this is simply due to too much humidity but at the same time Rosemary can suffer from a virus which causes symptoms like these. The best course of action to take is to cut out the affected branches and dispose of them so that they cannot infect anything else if indeed it is a virus or disease. Water the rosemary regularly only at the roots and provide it with a mulch. Make sure that the rosemary has plenty of space around it and a good free passage of air i.e. there aren't too many plants crowding around it. If the rosemary is not in a dry sunny position you may need to consider moving it for its long term health. Hope this helps.

#1 - Mary - 05/07/2007 - 15:35

Hi,
Some of the leaves of my rosemary plant is turning dark brown. It usually appears on the tips of the leaves and spread to the rest of the leaf. Is that a disease or lack of water or too much water?

#0 - Diana - 05/01/2007 - 03:11

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